EXPANDING RESEARCH HORIZONS IN MATERIAL SCIENCE: HOW THE UNIVERSITY OF MESSINA LEVERAGES THE EMA 502 CHNS/O ELEMENTAL ANALYZER

29/10/2024

In modern research, access to advanced instrumentation can determine the success of projects and open new avenues for discovery. Explore how the Department of Engineering at the University of Messina transformed its research capabilities with VELP’s EMA 502, enabling in-house CHNS/O analysis for material science innovations, including sensor development, agricultural waste and biomass studies, hydrochar analysis, and net calorific value calculation.

The Department of Engineering at the University of Messina is a multidisciplinary hub, spanning fields from industrial engineering to computer electronics, and civil engineering. A critical part of its research involves chemical analysis of organic materials, particularly in projects focused on materials science research for sensor development, agricultural waste valorization, and biomass study.

A key area of research at the University of Messina involves the transformation of waste materials—such as orange peels, beer production residues, and algae—into hydrochar, a carbon-rich material with a wide array of potential applications. The university uses an innovative pyrolysis process known as hydrothermal carbonization, which simulates the natural formation of fossil fuels by carbonizing biomass at much lower temperatures (200-300°C) compared to traditional pyrolysis (which can reach up to 1200°C). This process is particularly advantageous because it allows the researchers to work with wet biomass, eliminating the energy-intensive dehydration step required in conventional methods.

EXPANDING RESEARCH HORIZONS IN MATERIAL SCIENCE: HOW THE UNIVERSITY OF MESSINA LEVERAGES THE EMA 502 CHNS/O ELEMENTAL ANALYZER

The research team at the University of Messina has been focused on two main outputs of this process: a solid phase and a liquid phase rich in organic compounds. Solid hydrochar has proven to be highly versatile, with potential uses as activated carbon for pollutant absorption, such as removing dyes and nitrogen compounds from wastewater, as well as, in agriculture, as a sustainable, carbon-based fertilizer that could improve soil quality while reducing waste.

Meanwhile, the liquid phase is being studied for its potential to serve as a biofuel or to extract valuable organic compounds applicable in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. The University of Messina's research also demonstrates the potential for this liquid by-product to enhance crop growth, as evidenced by their experiments using it as a fertilizer for bean plants, which showed improved growth rates compared to untreated plants.

Through this research, the University of Messina is not only advancing sustainable waste-to-resource technologies but also contributing to the broader scientific understanding of carbon nanomaterials. Their work on hydrochar has led to the development of advanced sensors for detecting important chemical compounds like dopamine and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which have applications in healthcare and environmental monitoring. By integrating these nanomaterials into sensor technologies, they are paving the way for more efficient, eco-friendly solutions in various industries.

Overcoming delays in sample analysis for improved research outcomes

One major challenge for the department was its reliance on external laboratories for CHNS data. Outsourcing elemental analysis was not only expensive but also slowed down the research process. The turnaround time for data often disrupted project timelines, making it difficult to maintain consistency.

Additionally, results from external labs sometimes varied, which led to discrepancies that impacted the overall reliability of the department’s findings. This lack of control over an important part of their research hindered the researchers’ ability to perform quick experiments and subsequent publications.

Furthermore, without in-house capabilities for CHNS/O analysis, the department lacked the tools necessary to support its growing research needs in emerging areas such as hydrochar analysis and the development of carbon-based materials for sensor technology.

"The ability to conduct in-house CHNS/O analysis became essential to our work" as mentioned by Associate Professor Claudia Espro and Postdoctoral Researcher Viviana Bressi. "Faced with the challenge of relying on external laboratories for elemental analysis, our department turned to VELP’s EMA 502 CHNS/O analyzer, significantly broadening its research potential by the possibility of quantifying the amount of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen in organic compounds."

Broadening analytical capabilities with in-house CHNS/O analysis

To streamline the research process, the University of Messina adopted the VELP EMA 502 CHNS/O Elemental Analyzer. This versatile instrument offered the ideal solution for the department’s needs, enabling in-house CHNS/O analysis with high precision and accuracy.

In this context, the VELP EMA 502 enables the research team to perform elemental analyses of both the solid and liquid outputs of the carbonization process. For example, the analyzer provides detailed measurements of the carbon and hydrogen in hydrochar, which are essential for assessing its calorific value. At the same time, by evaluating its nitrogen content, it is possible to assess its suitability as fertilizer or biofuel. Indeed, the nitrogen content helps determine the potential of hydrochar as a soil enhancer, while the presence of organic compounds in the liquid phase suggests applications in energy production and catalysis.

The analyzer's accuracy and reproducibility were game-changers for the department:

Researchers no longer worry about long lead times for results and data inconsistency due to outsourcing, as the EMA 502 ensures fast and reliable results in-house.
Its software's easy-to-use interface allowed for seamless integration into their research workflows.
The ability to perform unsupervised runs and store results digitally also enabled the university to enhance collaboration among teams and across different projects.
Thanks to the VELP Ermes Cloud Platform, the Engineering Department can benefit from remote monitoring and control, and from timely support and maintenance directly from VELP's technical assistance and maintenance services, ensuring prompt resolution of issues and minimal downtime.

"The introduction of the VELP EMA 502 CHNS/O Elemental Analyzer at the University of Messina's Department of Engineering marked a significant leap forward in our research capabilities. By transitioning from external laboratories to in-house CHNS/O analysis, the department overcame longstanding challenges related to cost, time, and data reliability. The ability to conduct elemental analysis independently opened up new research possibilities, particularly in cutting-edge areas such as nanomaterials and hydrochar studies".

Professor Claudia Aspro - Associate Professor Department of Engineering

Want to discover more?

For more detailed insights into their research and the application of the EMA 502, you can explore the scientific publications from the University of Messina.

The EMA 502’s precision, reliability, and all-in-one functionality have proven essential in elevating the quality and efficiency of the department's research. This case study demonstrates the importance of investing in advanced analytical instruments, which empower institutions to take control of their data, enhance research outcomes, and drive innovation across multiple disciplines.

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